Chanel Cruise Collection 2009

With a lifeguard perched above the Raleigh pool, and double-C logo life preservers and beach balls scattered throughout, the Chanel cruise extravaganza kicked off on Thursday night.

“It’s all about proportions, cuts, volumes,” Lagerfeld said pre-show. “There is not one line that is taken all through the collection. For cruise, you don’t do that. There are many looks and an attitude.”

Indeed, Lagerfeld's cruise woman was sophisticated with a rock chick edge, from disco-metallic blazers to suits textured with camellias, bell bottom pants and pleated hot pants.